Revelation 21:5
"He is making ALL things new!"
As one reads the Bible, God's very inspired words, take note of the absolutes. He WILL make ALL things new. No need to doubt (He WILL), and not just some things but ALL things.
Then he says, "Write this down." He doesn't say, "If you want to" or "If you think you can remember don't worry about it." No! Do it! Why? Because they ARE trustworthy and true and of great worth!
I became curious of the absolute words in scripture.
Absolute - true, right or the same in all situations and not depending on anything else.
Reading scripture with absolutes in mind changes the way you think about it.
•I AM the bread of life
•He who comes to me will NEVER be thirsty
•I AM the Good Shepherd
•I AM the way
•I AM the truth
•I AM the life
•I WILL provide
•I WILL give you rest
•DON'T be afraid
•The Word of God stands FOREVER
•My grace IS sufficient for you
•My power IS made PERFECT in weakness
•Do NOT worry
•I KNOW you
•Whoever believes him who sent me HAS eternal life and WILL NOT be condemned
Jesus answered, “It is written: "Man shall NOT live on bread alone, but on EVERY word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4
Jesus doesn't mince words. He says what he means and means what he says ALL of the time! He is consistent 100% of the time.
How many times do I find myself backtracking? Saying, "I didn't mean THAT." Or, worse yet, denying I said something at all. Or, too many times to count, my feelings take over and I end up apologizing for an emotional rant.
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
James 1:19-20
Jesus is my perfect example. Did he get frustrated? Yes! Did he have to be stern at times and speak truth? Yes! But did he EVER speak truth without love? Never! Without good intentions? Never! Without taking the greater good into account? Never! Without using every opportunity as a teaching moment? Never! Did Jesus sometimes remain silent? Yes! Did he often remain silent when he would have been completely justified defending himself? Absolutely!
A quote I read a long time ago has stuck with me. It goes like this:
"Are you simply listening to respond or are you simply listening?" Am I formulating my response to someone in the midst of their comments or am I really listening to what they're saying?
He IS listening! God listened to Job lament, pour out his great sorrows, wrestle with his friends and combat a bitter wife for 37 chapters!!! He listened with great compassion and great patience. He HEARD Job!! And when he finally spoke Job was ready to listen. God spoke some hard truths to Job. "Where were you when I laid the Earth's foundation?" "Have you ever given orders to the morning or shown the dawn it's place?" Job thought he just might have known better than God.
You might say, "Really Job?" But truth be told when my beloved was taken in a second by a senseless choice, I, for sure, thought I knew better than God! Really God? This? No! This is not good! And it wasn't!
Some may think walking with the Lord is all health, wealth and prosperity. Just accept Jesus and life will be good! All will be well! Scripture actually never says that. What it does say is this, "In this world you WILL have trouble." But the absolute beauty is the very next sentence, "Take heart! I HAVE overcome the world."
This world isn't all there is to those who know, listen and follow Jesus.
I love the song Firm Foundation.
In an ever changing, hard world I am going to hold fast to Jesus. His Words are sometimes hard and sometimes comforting but ALWAYS true. And I cannot wait for this day:
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he WILL dwell with them. They WILL be his people, and God himself WILL be with them and be their God."
Revelation 21:3
Oh what a glorious day it WILL be!
And this....Lord, I can't wait...
"He WILL wipe EVERY tear from their eyes. There will be NO more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things HAS passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
No more death or mourning or crying or pain....again I say...
What a glorious day it WILL be!
•Do NOT worry
•I KNOW you
•Whoever believes him who sent me HAS eternal life and WILL NOT be condemned
Jesus answered, “It is written: "Man shall NOT live on bread alone, but on EVERY word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4
Jesus doesn't mince words. He says what he means and means what he says ALL of the time! He is consistent 100% of the time.
How many times do I find myself backtracking? Saying, "I didn't mean THAT." Or, worse yet, denying I said something at all. Or, too many times to count, my feelings take over and I end up apologizing for an emotional rant.
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
James 1:19-20
Jesus is my perfect example. Did he get frustrated? Yes! Did he have to be stern at times and speak truth? Yes! But did he EVER speak truth without love? Never! Without good intentions? Never! Without taking the greater good into account? Never! Without using every opportunity as a teaching moment? Never! Did Jesus sometimes remain silent? Yes! Did he often remain silent when he would have been completely justified defending himself? Absolutely!
A quote I read a long time ago has stuck with me. It goes like this:
"Are you simply listening to respond or are you simply listening?" Am I formulating my response to someone in the midst of their comments or am I really listening to what they're saying?
He IS listening! God listened to Job lament, pour out his great sorrows, wrestle with his friends and combat a bitter wife for 37 chapters!!! He listened with great compassion and great patience. He HEARD Job!! And when he finally spoke Job was ready to listen. God spoke some hard truths to Job. "Where were you when I laid the Earth's foundation?" "Have you ever given orders to the morning or shown the dawn it's place?" Job thought he just might have known better than God.
You might say, "Really Job?" But truth be told when my beloved was taken in a second by a senseless choice, I, for sure, thought I knew better than God! Really God? This? No! This is not good! And it wasn't!
Some may think walking with the Lord is all health, wealth and prosperity. Just accept Jesus and life will be good! All will be well! Scripture actually never says that. What it does say is this, "In this world you WILL have trouble." But the absolute beauty is the very next sentence, "Take heart! I HAVE overcome the world."
This world isn't all there is to those who know, listen and follow Jesus.
I love the song Firm Foundation.
"Christ is my firm foundation...the Rock on which I stand...when everything around me is shaking....I've never been more glad...that I put my faith in Jesus... he's NEVER let me down...he's faithful through every season ...so why would he fail now....he won't..."
And so I'll end where I began, "I AM making ALL things new."In an ever changing, hard world I am going to hold fast to Jesus. His Words are sometimes hard and sometimes comforting but ALWAYS true. And I cannot wait for this day:
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he WILL dwell with them. They WILL be his people, and God himself WILL be with them and be their God."
Revelation 21:3
Oh what a glorious day it WILL be!
And this....Lord, I can't wait...
"He WILL wipe EVERY tear from their eyes. There will be NO more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things HAS passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
No more death or mourning or crying or pain....again I say...
What a glorious day it WILL be!
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